TRILEMMA GAME

Myrven rolls out of bed with a knot in his shoulder, grumbling about a soft bed. He'd imagined sleeping somewhere like this for years. Every time he had to sleep in a ditch, on a pile of hay, or in a tavern chair. Alas, it seemed he preferred something solid rather than being swallowed in pillows. He refills his waterskin with some water with a cucumber floating in it. He had to admit that was a nice touch.

He requests specifically the waiter uniform of the tailor, and a new eye patch to replace his worn leather one. Along with Dhalia, he purchased two pieces of armour and a backpack. He'd also look to see if there were any finer swords.

Dahlia eats a large and luxurious breakfast and walks over to Myrven. With a note of sadness, she says, "Well, I've finished it. I wanted to spend a full day -- three meals, a good night's sleep, a shopping trip -- living the high life. And you know what? It's nice, but it's overrated. The food was complicated, but it didn't taste better than stuff my mama used to make. The clothes are softer, but they tear easily. The bed is nice, but too soft. I do like the hot bath, though -- that is something I'm gonna splurge for again."

She shakes her head and looks at Myrven. She says, "I can't believe I spent my whole life trying to get...this. And now that I have it, I see that it isn't what I want at all. It's shallow. Empty. Without people, and purpose, it's nothing. So what do you say, Myrv? You wanna go find something interesting to do with our fancy new weapons and armor? I wouldn't mind going back to them wizards and buying some magic off 'em. Then maybe we follow this here ring, yeah?"

"Yer right D. We got the coin time to get the legacy. Lets look for supplies and head off. Whaddaya think about looking for a couple of hirelings. We ain't av any idea where the ring will go, maybe and extra pair of hands will be useful. Maybe horses? Heck, we're rich, a carriage? All the best prts o travel wiv none o the walkin?"

After purchasing the sword, Myrven will mention something to the shopkeeper, asking for leads. He will look for dive bars, drinking holes, and bemoan the use of magic, chatting about the value of a strong arm, rather than this hand-wavy, weak-willed magic stuff. If he finds someone who is also annoyed, he'll ask them who is the worst in town, then go there.

With her companion's leave, Dahlia heads back to the Eastern wizards to whom she sold the pigments first. When she arrives, however, they have departed--probably to take their pigments to safety. As she stands there deciding what to do next, a barmaid walks by. It's Maddie, the wench who takes care of this place. Maddie looks Dahlia over, recognizing her, and says, "You lookin' for yer strange friends, da ones you was talkin wit earlier? Yeah day left. Probably went to the Alley of Wisps or wherever weird folk like dem go."

Dahlia arches an eyebrow, asks for directions, and heads out. The directions take her to another market in town, further from the center of the town than the first one they visited. Here, folks buy and sell fineries and the clientele look like nobles and wealthy folks and their servants. Dahlia asks around and learns that this market is known as The Colonnade. Tiny coffee shops and cafes are interspersed among the shops and the rich smells of roasting coffee, spiced foods, exotic perfumes, and more fill the fresh air.

After a time, she finds the so-called Alley of Wisps, which looks at its entrance like a nondescript alley. Heading in the alley turns a corner and quickly changes into an eccentric bazaar of herbalists, occultists, and hedge mages buying and selling their wares. Floating above it all are little, glowing balls no larger than a fist, which illuminate the area. For the alley here is covered by an impenetrable darkness, like a cloudy night sky. Some magic, it seems, shields this place from folk who aren't touched by sorcery.

She walks along, looking over the various stalls, and realizes that most folks here are selling things to perform completely rituals, to brew obscure concoctions, to enchant items, and other more advanced magical practices. Hopefully, though, she can find a stall selling scrolls or books, or even just magical words, that she can use!

Myrven might find Dahlia in the market stalls, looking up from a minuscule cup with a ruthlessly potent espresso shot. He would share what he learnt as they wandered through town.

Dahlia sighs and shares what she has learned. She shrugs and says, "I dunno, mate. I am beginning to think our one streak of good luck, with the pigment, is coming to an end. So you wanna follow the ring now?"

"Aye, I think it's time."

Dahlia nods and heads to the dock.